Purchases through our links may earn us a commission.
There are many different PC enclosures out there, and even though the best models can cost more than a capable gaming CPU, there’s a great selection of budget PC cases. These won’t cost you an arm and a leg while offering pretty solid specs for the price. If you aren’t on a limited budget, do visit our cases section and check out our other PC cases buying guides.
Today, we will check out the best budget PC cases in 10 different categories. Below you can find budget cases with the best airflow, great RGB cases for users on a budget, a relatively affordable full tower case, a couple of budget chassis with support for vertical GPU mount, and more. Note that, in some categories (water cooling support, for instance), we picked cases that sport a bit higher prices. But the reality is that if you need a budget case for a custom loop or a full tower case, budget options in these markets are higher priced than in most other categories.
Before we start, we have a few articles to recommend. The first one covers the best budget X570 motherboards. Next, we have the best air cooler for Ryzen CPUs article that includes lots of budget air coolers. Finally, more case fans is always a good idea – if your enclosure has enough room, of course – so make sure to visit our list of the best RGB case fans.
Phanteks Eclipse P360A: Best budget airflow case
Starting with the popular airflow cases, the Eclipse P360A from Phanteks stands out as the best budget option. While slightly pricier than other budget cases, its outstanding thermals and included PWM RGB fans justify the cost. The sleek metal mesh front panel and RGB strip on the glass side add a touch of style. Supporting up to five 120mm or four 140mm fans, along with various radiator options, it accommodates full-sized components, making it one of the best budget PC cases available.
Cooler Master MasterBox NR200: Best budget ITX case
The NR200 has redefined the Mini-ITX market, earning its place as the best budget ITX case despite its slightly higher cost. Boasting impressive liquid cooling support with room for up to 7 case fans, it accommodates both SFX and SFX-L power supplies and provides ample space for storage drives. Supporting three-slot GPUs and CPU coolers up to 155mm, the NR200 also offers a vertical GPU mount option. Dust filters cover all openings, and the front panel features USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and a combo audio jack. With excellent thermals, versatile design, and efficient cable management, the NR200 stands out as a top-tier ITX case.
The Montech X2 stands out with its appealing design, mesh front panel, and excellent airflow driven by three preinstalled RGB case fans. This chassis accommodates GPUs up to 305mm in length and CPU heatsinks up to 165mm in height. Notably, the X2 prioritizes superb thermals with its mesh front panel, distinguishing it from other budget RGB options that often feature solid glass panels. With room for up to five case fans, four drive bays, and convenient front panel features including RGB fan controls, USB ports, and audio jacks, the Montech X2 proves to be an attractive and efficient choice.
NZXT H510: Best white budget case
For an affordable and sleek all-white build, check out the NZXT H510. It offers an appealing design and decent thermal performance. The case comes with two fans (top and rear) that work adequately. While supporting two front fans, the thermal gains are limited. It accommodates GPUs up to 325mm and CPU coolers up to 165mm in height. Liquid cooling options include a 240mm or 280mm AIO on the front and a 120mm radiator on the back. It also provides space for four storage drives (2×2.5” and 2×3.5”). The H510’s design justifies its slightly higher budget.
If you’re looking for a white PC case but aren’t constrained by a limited budget, you could check out our guide for the best white PC cases. If you want to have a chassis with a unique color choice but white isn’t your thing, don’t worry; we have a list of the best pink PC cases for you to read.
Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L: Best mATX budget case
For an affordable mATX case option, consider the Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L. With a stylish design and mesh front panel, it supports up to five fans or a 240mm radiator on the front side. The case includes one preinstalled fan, but adding two more for optimal airflow is recommended. It offers ample clearance for a GPU up to 360mm in length and a 159mm tall CPU cooler. Storage options accommodate up to three drives. However, the dust filters and acrylic side panel could be better in terms of thermal performance and aesthetics.
Phanteks Enthoo Pro: Best full-tower budget case
For a budget-friendly full-tower case, consider the Phanteks Enthoo Pro. Available in multiple versions, it offers a variety of side panel options including acrylic and tempered glass. With four 5.25″ drive bays and support for up to 10 case fans or extensive radiator configurations, it’s ideal for workstations. The case accommodates GPUs up to 347mm long and CPU coolers up to 193mm tall. Storage-wise, it offers six 3.5″ and seven 2.5″ drive bays, and the front panel provides convenient connectivity with USB 3.0, USB 2.0 ports, and audio jacks. With a modular design and solid airflow, the Enthoo Pro offers great value.
Vetroo M01 & Thermaltake Core V21: Best budget case with vertical GPU mount
PC cases featuring vertical GPU mounts aren’t usually found in the budget section, but we managed to find an excellent choice. Our pick for the best budget case with a vertical GPU mount is the Vetroo M01, which looks mighty cool. The unusual design with the center of the front panel featuring mesh covering and a huge 200mm fan hits the bullseye.
You get solid airflow but also a unique-looking case that will make an impression. You can install up to three extra fans on the top and backside. The front side also supports two 120mm fans but considering that only the middle of the panel has mesh covering, we would keep the 200mm fan you get with the case.
As for the water cooling support, you can install a 240mm radiator on the top and up to 280mm radiator on the front. The clearance for the GPU is 340mm, and the CPU heatsink is 180mm, which is excellent for a mid-tower case. Next, we have four drive bays in total, solid cable management, and a front panel that includes RGB controls, one USB 3.0, two USB 2.0, and two audio jacks.
On the other hand, the layout is not great, so you will have some issues when building inside this case. Overall, the Vetroo M01 is a solid case but remember that you need to get a PCI-e riser for the vertical GPU mount.
Nanoxia Rexgear 2: Best budget PC case with a handle
The Nanoxia Rexgear 2 breaks the trend of expensive portable cases by offering sturdy carrying handles at a budget-friendly price. Despite its aggressive design that was popular some years back, it remains a solid choice for those seeking portability. With two pre-installed case fans and room for a total of six, it offers effective cooling. The case can accommodate graphics cards up to 320mm (345mm without the front fan) and CPU coolers up to 163mm in height (187mm without the top fan). Impressive liquid cooling support includes space for two 240mm radiators on the top and front. Storage-wise, it supports up to eight drives (three 3.5″ and two 2.5″). The front I/O features two USB 3.0 ports and dual audio jacks.
Metallic Gear Neo Silent: Best affordable quiet PC case
Don’t let the unknown brand name fool you. Metallic Gear is a Phanteks subsidiary specializing in budget cases, and the Neo Silent is their quiet case offering. For the price, which is quite affordable, you get a sound-insulated front panel, tempered glass side panel, and one pre-installed 120mm fan.
The case features a simplistic design without many details, but we like it this way. As for the clearance, you can fit a 400mm GPU along with a 170mm CPU cooler. There are four drive bays in total (2×2.5” and 2×3.5”) and enough room for up to five fans.
Water cooling support is alright for a budget case, with enough space for a 280mm radiator on the front and a 240mm AIO on the topside. Overall, this is an excellent budget case with silent operation. Sure, thermals are higher than on mesh cases, but you can’t have both.
MSI MPG Gungnir 111M: Best budget case for water cooling
For those seeking budget cases with ample radiator support, the MSI MPG Gungnir 111M stands out. This mid-tower case comes at a slightly higher price but delivers impressive features. It accommodates a 360mm front radiator and a 240mm top radiator, making it suitable for high-performance custom loops. The mesh front panel enhances airflow, and the case can house up to six fans, including four pre-installed ones, three of which are RGB. The case supports up to five storage drives (three 2.5″ and two 3.5″), GPUs up to 340mm in length, and CPU coolers up to 170mm in height. The PSU shroud features a cutout for showcasing the power supply if desired, making it a strong choice with great liquid cooling support.
Purchases through our links may earn us a commission.